But John's mental bravery was the salt to all his other virtues, and mental bravery does not quail before an uncertainty.
He hoped that Jane would, as was her usual custom, meet him at the door, that she would hear his step and answer the call of it.

But she did not.

Then he remembered that the night had turned chilly and that it was near to dinner-time.

She was probably in her dressing-room, but this uncertainty was not cheerful.

Yet he sang as he prepared himself for dinner.